President Gerald R. Ford Letter - Accession 1476 - M717 (773)

Authors

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.

Files

Identifier

Accession 1476 - M717 (773)

Inclusive Dates

March 8, 1978

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

Collection Size

2 pieces

Language

English;

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of a form letter sent out by former US President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) on March 8, 1978 to Rock Hill, SC resident Suzannah Blackwell. The letter request that the recipient fill out a survey that was originally with the letter and for a contribution to the Republican Party. The letter offers great insight into the political climate of the time from the Republican Party perspective. In the letter President Gerald R. Ford (who was President from 1974-1977) outlines several policies and actions of the sitting US President, Jimmy Carter (1924- ) who was President from 1977-1981, which he and fellow Republicans feel are contrary to the needs of the United States at the time. He mentions President Carter’s changes to the national defense program including abandoning continued production of the B-1 Bomber, canceling production of “60 new Minutemen III missiles, and cutting the defense budget. President Ford is also critical of President Carter’s energy program with its energy tax which will “not be used to stimulate energy production” but will “be used to pay for still more social welfare programs.” He is also critical of President Carter’s foreign policy which includes expanded relations with communist Cubs and withdrawing troops from South Korea. He sums up the potential issues by stating “Which way is the Administration leading us: Towards more government control and regulation? Towards an outdated national defense system? Towards complete dependence on foreign oil? Towards a foreign policy that creates doubts in the minds of our allies and encouragement in the minds of our adversaries?”

Provenance

The Gerald Ford Letter were given to the Archives on January 21, 2004.

Copyright

For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.

Finding Aid Citation

Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections, Winthrop University, "President Gerald R. Ford Letter - Accession 1476 - M717 (773)". Finding Aid 1084.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/manuscriptcollection_findingaids/1084